GEM vs. HYEM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

GEM (Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF) and HYEM (VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GEM is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while HYEM is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GEM returned 9.79%/yr vs 4.63%/yr for HYEM. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GEM charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for HYEM.

Performance

GEM vs. HYEM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GEM achieves a 26.12% return, which is significantly higher than HYEM's 3.81% return. Over the past 10 years, GEM has outperformed HYEM with an annualized return of 9.79%, while HYEM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.63% annualized return.

GEM

• 1D: -1.13%
• 1M: 6.24%
• YTD: 26.12%
• 6M: 29.03%
• 1Y: 50.97%
• 3Y*: 23.48%
• 5Y*: 7.67%
• 10Y*: 9.79%

HYEM

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 0.91%
• YTD: 3.81%
• 6M: 4.19%
• 1Y: 10.08%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 3.02%
• 10Y*: 4.63%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

GEM vs. HYEM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	26.12%	33.43%	6.66%	11.82%	-21.33%	-0.19%	13.23%	17.79%	-14.25%	36.43%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	3.81%	9.24%	12.14%	8.35%	-13.39%	-1.31%	6.87%	12.85%	-3.38%	7.94%

Correlation

The correlation between GEM and HYEM is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2015	0.42

GEM vs. HYEM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GEM	HYEM
Financial Services	34.0%	-
Technology	14.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.0%	-
Basic Materials	8.7%	-
Industrials	7.5%	100.0%
Healthcare	5.4%	-
Communication Services	4.5%	-
Utilities	4.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.2%	-
Real Estate	1.5%	-
Energy	1.3%	-

Return for Risk

GEM vs. HYEM — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

GEM

GEM Risk / Return Rank: 79
GEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
GEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
GEM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
GEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
GEM Martin Ratio Rank: 77

HYEM

HYEM Risk / Return Rank: 77
HYEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
HYEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
HYEM Omega Ratio Rank: 78
HYEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
HYEM Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

GEM vs. HYEM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) and VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	GEM	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.33	+0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.42	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.46	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.80	3.71	+0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.69	15.14	-0.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GEM vs. HYEM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the HYEM Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GEM and HYEM, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GEM	HYEM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.33	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.44	0.40	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.52	0.50	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.54	-0.02

Drawdowns

GEM vs. HYEM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GEM drawdown since its inception was -37.02%, which is greater than HYEM's maximum drawdown of -30.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GEM and HYEM.

Drawdown Indicators

	GEM	HYEM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.02%	-30.96%	-6.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.50%	-2.73%	-10.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.54%	-5.23%	-11.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.43%	-26.30%	-9.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.02%	-30.96%	-6.06%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.16%	-0.20%	-1.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.01%	-4.40%	-7.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	0.67%	+2.81%

Volatility

GEM vs. HYEM - Volatility Comparison

Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF (GEM) has a higher volatility of 8.61% compared to VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF (HYEM) at 1.32%. This indicates that GEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYEM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GEM	HYEM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.61%	1.32%	+7.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.01%	3.21%	+13.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.55%	4.33%	+15.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.71%	7.49%	+10.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.03%	9.27%	+9.76%

GEM vs. HYEM - Expense Ratio Comparison

GEM has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than HYEM's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

GEM vs. HYEM - Dividend Comparison

GEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.83%, less than HYEM's 6.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GEM Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity ETF	1.83%	2.30%	2.58%	2.97%	2.96%	3.00%	1.63%	3.13%	2.08%	1.81%	1.98%	0.25%
HYEM VanEck Vectors Emerging Markets High Yield Bond ETF	6.53%	6.67%	6.34%	6.27%	6.47%	5.33%	5.56%	6.14%	5.71%	5.86%	6.25%	7.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GEM and HYEM in my portfolio?

GEM and HYEM have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GEM or HYEM?

GEM has higher volatility (8.61%) compared to HYEM (1.32%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GEM dropped -37.02% vs HYEM's -30.96%.

Which ETF is better, GEM or HYEM?

On 10-year performance, GEM leads with 9.79% vs 4.63% for HYEM. On fees, HYEM is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, HYEM has been the lower-risk option at 1.32%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GEM or HYEM?

Over the 10-year period, GEM has performed better with a 9.79% return vs 4.63%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GEM or HYEM?

HYEM is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GEM.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GEM or HYEM?

HYEM has the higher dividend yield at 6.53%, compared with 1.83% for GEM.

What is the main difference between GEM and HYEM?

GEM is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while HYEM is High Yield Bonds. GEM tracks Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta Emerging Markets Equity Index, while HYEM tracks BofA Merrill Lynch Diversified High Yield US Emerging Markets Corporate Plus Index. They also come from different issuers: Goldman Sachs and VanEck. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GEM and 0.40% for HYEM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.33), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.